Go Ape adventure parks look abroad as profits leap

The company behind the fast-growing Go Ape chain of adventure parks is considering moving into Brazil, Russia and China after the success of its expansion into the US.

Adventure Forest Group now has three of its treetop high-wire courses in the US as part of a joint venture.

It is planning at least 20 more to add to its 28 centres in Britain.Founder Tristram Mayhew, 44, said: ‘It is a concern expanding in this current climate, but we’ve come a long way by being bold and we’re creating 100 jobs a year. We’ve got to go with our instinct.’

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Mayhew said the terrible summer weather has affected trading less than expected.

‘We had our best ever year last year
and we are still strongly profitable,’ he said. ‘Every month we turn
down offers from private equity investors, but we’ve never taken outside
money and that’s the way we like it.’